While it might look like a party, Pride is actually radical activism at its core. The colorful celebration is about existing loudly, boldly, and unapologetically in public spaces. And it always has been, though the look of that resistance and revolution has evolved.

But corporations like Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, and Uber have been infiltrating LGBTQ Pride Month with claims of allyship and support for years. Major corporations particularly focus on supporting events in New York, Los Angeles, and other major cities where crowds, and potential consumers, flock. Marches in these cities have become more like parades to capitalism, with businesses trying to appeal to LGBTQ consumers through glittery floats and enthusiastic employees handing out rainbow trinkets.

Corporate America's "support" is often a sham, and enough is enough.

I can't stand how corporate pride is abt "love" & not LGBTQ ppl. what kind of meaningless sentiment is "I support love"?? wtf obviously u do

When June ends, support from these so-called LGBTQ-affirming companies almost entirely disappears. No more queer commercials. No declarations of "valued queer customers." No rainbow-clad products left and right.

LGBTQ people slide off the corporate radar — until next year, when profit-hungry big businesses can prey on Pride again. But we as a community can't let that happen anymore.

To get to the roots of Pride and LGBTQ resistance, you have to go back before the rainbow flag was ever created; before the word "transgender" was in our vernacular, LGBTQ was an acronym, or AIDS was a community crisis.

Tracing the modern queer rights movement begins with the Stonewall Riots, a 1969 rebellion led by queer and trans people of color at New York City's Stonewall Inn. The massive resistance, which began on the night of June 28, was a radical reaction to power — particularly law enforcement, who used to raid queer haunts to arrest LGBTQ-identified people for their "criminal" identities.

The first Pride march happened one year later in 1970 to commemorate the riots, and was called the Christopher Street Liberation Day March. And ever since, Pride has been a month for the LGBTQ community to come together to celebrate resilience and honor struggle.

"It's about being unapologetic in our Pride and in who we love and in who we are," Milan says. "It's about saying no matter how much you want to fight us, no matter how much you try to kill us, that we're here and we are going to continue this fight."

Police and LGBTQ patrons clash at the Stonewall Inn nightclub raid on June 28, 1969.

Image: NY Daily News/Getty

That rebellion some 40 years ago took place well before corporations wanted anything to do with queerness. The LGBTQ community was outcast from public life and pathologized. Queer men weren't "sassy gay friends." Drag queens weren't fabulous Saturday night entertainment. And LGBTQ people certainly weren't a sought-after consumer.

Corporate Pride wants to appeal to LGBTQ people by claiming understanding and support of queerness. But you aren't really supporting a community if you're just after a consumer. The majority of corporations are merely after queer dollars in June, and the proof is in the radio silence on issues like workplaceinequality, homelessness, and hate violence year-round.

"Corporate America needs to stand up for LGBTQ people, because sometimes people aren't able to change their hearts and minds until we affect their pocketbooks."

But just because major corporations should bow out of Pride marches and events doesn't mean they can't play a meaningful role in bettering the lives of LGBTQ people.

Ideally, corporations should sponsor Pride events — but leave it at that. No need for massive amounts of recognition. No monetary exchange for a spot at the front of the march. Nothing in return. Just true, meaningful support for a movement.

And after Pride, corporations should commit to queer people, pledging to improve our lives and alleviate our struggles during all 12 months of the year.

With the majority of states having laws on the books that make it legal to discriminate against LGBTQ employees, corporations have an obligation to be explicit about LGBTQ inclusion in their policies. Big businesses need to resist when they can, like many did with "bathroom bill" legislation in North Carolina by pulling their present and future business out of the state.

They need to recognize our humanity — not as consumers, but as a community.

Women kiss at the #ResistMarch during LA Pride on June 11, 2017.

Image: David McNew/Getty Images

This need for corporations to show their commitment to LGBTQ people, according to noted actress and activist Laverne Cox, hinges on capitalism. While a reliance on big business to help shift public opinion may not seem radical, it's practical in today's society.

"Corporate America needs to stand up for LGBTQ people, because sometimes people aren't able to change their hearts and minds until we affect their pocketbooks," Cox says. "That's not the best way to change hearts and minds. But until there is another way, we need the help of corporations to create spaces where people can live and thrive."

Corporations, we don't need you to invade our movement. What we need is for you to use your influence to lift up our community so we can create our own future.

So, hop out of our march. We've got places to be — and you aren't coming with us.

WATCH: The best advice for LGBTQ youth from their elders

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